CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. - The #1 Lady Tigers hosted the #3 Indiana Wesleyan University Lady Wildcats on Saturday. Despite the Lady Tigers' efforts to retaliate with baskets off the Lady Wildcats' turnovers, Campbellsville lost the contest, 82-74.
In the game's opening moments, both teams' offenses attacked each other's side of the court back-and-forth. A couple of turnovers from the Lady Tigers resulted in a few steals from the Lady Wildcats. Halfway through the first quarter, Indiana Wesleyan held tight control over the ball. The Lady Wildcats grew their advantage to a nine-point lead. Whitney Hay's fierce jumpers propelled the Lady Tigers forward, closing the first 10 minutes of play, 23-18.
Indiana Wesleyan's offense kept landing arduous plays, landing layup after layup, continuing to widen their lead over Campbellsville. As the second quarter continued to unfold, both teams had multiple fouls, resulting in many players standing at the charity stripe. With three minutes left, Maddy Boyle, Elizabeth Bertram, and Lauren Lee scored tenacious buckets for the Lady Tigers. At the end of the first half, Campbellsville continued to trail the Lady Wildcats 49-40.
Both teams collected five steals at the half, but the Lady Tigers failed to take advantage of the Lady Wildcats' turnovers. Indiana Wesleyan's rebounds earned them the edge over Campbellsville, having 21 to our six. The Lady Wildcats struck with a higher field-goal percentage, 20-of-31 (64.5%) compared to the Lady Tigers with 13-of-28 (46.4%), a surprising statistical comparison as Campbellsville has been the nation's top field-goal percentage team this season.
The Lady Tigers came into the second half with some steadfast offensive plays from Hay and Kaitlynn Wilks. For a few minutes of the third quarter, neither team landed a basket, as both defenses held firm control over their side of the court. At the end of the third quarter, Indiana Wesleyan remained in the lead, 58-53.
Bertram and Courtney Pritchett's threes brought the Lady Tigers closer to the Lady Wildcats' lead. Bertram came off the bench with relentless plays for the Lady Tigers. Still, Indiana Wesleyan's firm offense was too potent for Campbellsville to overcome, as their rebounds landed them multiple opportunities to score. At the end of the game, the Lady Tigers fell to the Lady Wildcats, 82-74.
Campbellsville and Indiana Wesleyan kept strong team play forces through the contest, collecting over 20 assists each. The Lady Wildcats surpassed the Lady Tigers in multiple categories, most significantly collecting 35 rebounds to our 17 and 38 points in the paint to our 28. However, Campbellsville scored 23 points off turnovers to Indiana Wesleyan's 17, taking advantage of their 20 turnovers compared to our 16. Bertram recorded a new career high with six steals, and three Lady Tigers scored double-digits during today's game: Hay with 18, Wilks with 14, and Lee with 13.
The Lady Tigers will be back in action Friday, December 15th, hosting the Florida Memorial University Lion beginning at 2 p.m. ET.
